VALUE AND USES OF SHELLS 



Fig. 25. Large Quadrula heros, or "Washboard" shell from 

 which five large button blanks have been cut. 



are well provided with the most approved finishing ma- 

 chines and finish their buttons in their own factories. 



While the Unio mussel shells are used mostly for but- 

 tons, there are many other uses for them. A few of the 

 articles of every day use which are made from them are 

 as follows : Buckles, knife handles, umbrella handles, hat 

 pins, pistol stocks, penholders, pocketbooks, trolling 

 spoons, match safes, jewel cases, opera glasses, novelties 

 and souvenirs. There are some other uses which require 

 large quantities of shells. One of them is the manufac- 

 ture of crushed shell for poultry food. During one year 

 30,726 tons of chicken grits were made from the waste 



